Developing a longline/jig sentinel survey program for an area with limited monitoring and fishing efforts

Abstract

Areas, such as coastal eastern Gulf of Maine (GOM), perceived to have low density of target fish species and having high density fixed gear, are often subject to low fishing pressure and not well monitored. This can lead to a shortage of information regarding the fine scale dynamics of groundfish populations. Sentinel surveys are commonly developed for such areas with little monitoring and commercial fishing activity as a cost effective way to collect relevant data for monitoring the dynamics of fish stocks. In this study, we outline an approach that utilizes information from other survey programs and pilot study for designing a survey that satisfies both the wish of fishermen participants to contribute their knowledge and experience in determining groundfish abundance and distribution and the statistical rigor required for stock assessments. Through an analysis of spatial and density distribution of groundfish populations based on data from pilot seasons of the sentinel survey and other monitoring programs, we designed a survey that has good spatial and temporal coverage and captures the spatial variability in species composition and size structure of key species. The spatially explicit data collected in the program can contribute to a better understanding of groundfish stock status in the eastern GOM. The approach, although developed for the coastal eastern GOM, is also applicable to other areas with similar issues.